REGULAR MEETING
LEVY COUNTY BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
AUGUST 4, 2015
The Regular Meeting of the Board of Levy County Commissioners was held on August 4, 2015 at 9:00 A.M. in the Levy County Board of County Commissioners meeting room with the following Commissioners present:
Chairman John Meeks
Comm. Rock Meeks
Comm. Danny Stevens
Comm. Lilly Rooks
Comm. Mike Joyner
Also present were:
Danny J. Shipp – Clerk of Court
County Attorney – Anne Bast Brown
County Coordinator – Fred Moody
Chairman John Meeks called the Meeting to order at 9:00 A.M. Comm. Rock Meeks gave the invocation, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.
EXPENDITURES
Comm. Stevens made a motion to approve the following expenditures presented for payment. Second was made by Comm. Rock Meeks and the MOTION CARRIES.
| CHECK NUMBER | 120565-120694 |
| FUND | AMOUNT |
| GENERAL REVENUE | 1,115,232.77 |
| ROAD | 35,608.37 |
| SHIP | 17,873.62 |
| PAL LIBRARY | 2,153.42 |
| TRANSPORTATION | 1,190.61 |
| 911 | 26,807.01 |
| COURT FACILITIES | 52.00 |
| EMS | 18,590.45 |
| FIRE | 102,757.32 |
| TOURIST DEVELOPMENT | 5,562.86 |
| UTILITIES | 1,377.54 |
| ADD COURT COSTS | 1,943.52 |
| LANDFILL | 1,497.11 |
| TOTAL | $ 1,330,646.60 |
MINUTES
The minutes for the following Board meetings were presented for Board approval: June 23, 2015, July 7, 2015, and July 21, 2015.
Comm. Stevens made a motion to approve the minutes for the Regular Board meeting held on June 23, 2015 with corrections as stated. Second was made by Comm. Rock Meeks and the MOTION CARRIES.
Comm. Stevens made a motion to approve the minutes for the Regular Board meeting held on July 7, 2015 as presented. Second was made by Comm. Rock Meeks and the MOTION CARRIES.
Comm. Stevens made a motion to approve the minutes for the Regular Board meeting held on July 21, 2015 as presented. Second was made by Comm. Rock Meeks and the MOTION CARRIES.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
Yankeetown Mayor, Debra Weiss expressed concerns to the Board of recent flooding made worse in Inglis and Yankeetown by clogged culverts on C40A.
Mr. Greenlee stated the Road Department will be clearing culverts as soon as the water recedes enough identify where the problem areas are located.
PUBLIC HEARING
ROAD DEPARTMENT
Bruce Greenlee, Administrative Road Superintendent
Request adoption of Resolution 2015-25 approving the petition to vacate, abandon, and close a portion of SE 73rd Lane, located in Fox Grove Farms Subdivision, as requested by petitioners, Earl E. and Jessie F. Sims.
Mr. Greenlee requested Board approval of Resolution 2015-25 approving the petition to vacate, abandon, and close a portion of SE 73rd Lane, located in Fox Grove Farms Subdivision as requested by the petitioners, Earl E. and Jessie F. Sims.
Comm. John Meeks asked if there was anyone wishing to speak for or against the petition as presented. There were none.
Comm. Joyner made a motion to approve Resolution 2015-25 as requested. Second was made by Comm. Stevens and the MOTION CARRIES.
PUBLIC HEARING
DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT
Bill Hammond, Development Director
Request the Board approve Ms. Gail Osteen with Hardship Variance 15-04.
Swearing in of the audience was done by Atty. Brown.
Comm. John Meeks asked if any of the Commissioners had any ex-parte communication with the petitioner. [1]Comm. John Meeks stated he had ex-parte communication with several individuals regarding this petition.
Mr. Hammond requested Board approval of Hardship Variance 15-04 to allow a second dwelling on a parcel of land owned by Gail M. Osteen in order for her daughter to care for her.
Comm. John Meeks asked if there was anyone in the audience wishing to speak for or against the petition as presented.
Jeff Hardee spoke to the Board explaining the reason for the petition for a Hardship Variance for Ms. Osteen.
Comm. Stevens made a motion to approve Hardship Variance 15-04 as requested. Second was made by Comm. Joyner and the MOTION CARRIES.
LEVY COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE
Sheriff, Robert B. McCallum
Request the Board to serve as the coordinating unit of government in the FDLE Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant by (1) signing the Certificate of Participation (2) and in the preparation of the application for grant funds by designating Sheriff Bobby McCallum to coordinate the preparation of the application and (3) by approving upon award the use of Grant Funds, $34,540.00 to supplement the multi-jurisdictional Drug Task Force of Levy County.
Comm. John Meeks offered congratulations to Sheriff McCallum and staff for their work to get the 66 recent drug related arrests.
Sheriff McCallum stated the Sheriff’s Department had recently been working on what had been named operation “Melting Pot” and with assistance from neighboring law enforcement agencies, yielded 66 drug related arrests in Levy County.
Sheriff McCallum requested the Board to serve as the coordinating unit of government in the FDLE Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant by signing the Certificate of Participation and designation of himself to coordinate the preparation of the application, and by approving, award the use of Grant funds in the amount of $34,500 to supplement the multijurisdictional Drug Task Force of Levy County.
Comm. Rooks made a motion to approve the request by Sheriff McCallum regarding the Certificate of Participation for the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant. Second was made by Comm. Joyner and the MOTION CARRIES.
DEPARTMENT REPORTS
EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT
John MacDonald, Director
Request approval of the Memorandum of Understanding for Expenditure of Recipient Funding from the Interoperable Emergency Communications Grant Program (IECGP) funds.
Mr. MacDonald requested Board approval of the Memorandum of Understanding for Expenditure of Recipient Funding from the Interoperable Emergency Communications Grant Program (IECGP) funds.
Comm. Stevens made a motion to approve the Memorandum of Understanding as requested. Second was made by Comm. Rock Meeks and the MOTION CARRIES.
Mr. MacDonald gave an update to the Board of the flooding situation in parts of the County due to the recent heavy rainfall.
LEVY COUNTY TRANSIT
Connie Conley, General Manager
A. Request Board approval of Resolution 2015-35, authorizing the filing of the Shirley Conroy Rural Capital Assistance Program Grant (RCAP Grant).
Mrs. Conley requested Board approval of Resolution 2015-35, authorizing the filing of the Shirley Conroy Rural Capital Assistance Program Grant application with the Florida Commission for the Transportation Disadvantaged in the amount of $73,859 for the purchase of a bus.
Comm. Stevens made a motion to approve Resolution 2015-35 as requested. Second was made by Comm. Rooks and the MOTION CARRIES.
B. Request Board approval for the Service Agreement to provide transportation service to Creekside Christian School for the upcoming school year, 2015/2016.
Mrs. Conley requested Board approval of the Service Agreement to provide transportation service to Creekside Christian School for the upcoming school year, 2015/2016.
Comm. Joyner made a motion to approve the Service Agreement with Creekside Christian School as requested. Second was made by Comm. Rock Meeks and the MOTION CARRIES.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
Michael Gaither spoke to the Board regarding the placement of curbside handicap parking spaces in front of the courthouse.
Mrs. Gaither requested a report be made available from the Animal Services Department of how many cats and dogs are being saved each month.
Comm. Rooks stated she will work with the Animal Services Department to make this report available.
COMMISSIONERS’ REPORTS
Comm. Joyner stated he is glad to be back after dealing with complications due to a recent illness.
Comm. Rooks spoke of her recent experience at the Williston Hospital. It was a positive experience and she was impressed with how the staff took care of her and very pleased with the facility.
Comm. Rock Meeks announced there will be an event coming up at the Williston Middle School where school supplies will be given to students. The event will be Saturday, August 8th at 3:00 P.M.
There is also an event planned in Inglis from 1:00 P.M. to 3:00 P.M. to give out school supplies Saturday.
Sheriff McCallum stated there is a school supply give away planned for this Saturday as well at the Methodist Church in Chiefland.
Comm. John Meeks encouraged those with school age children to check for community information for other school supply give away events.
Comm. Rock Meeks asked for clarification of the recent memo sent out by Mr. Moody regarding a hiring freeze. Comm. Rock Meeks requested if a position is left open by an employee leaving the department come before the Board for approval to hire someone to replace the position. This does not include hiring of Transit and EMS employees.
Comm. John Meeks reported he and Mr. Dean attended a meeting with Duke Energy regarding future plans of the power plant in Crystal River.
Comm. John Meeks stated he will be attending a committee meeting teleconference tomorrow at 2:00 P.M. of the Agriculture Growth Management Environment which now includes Transportation.
Florida Representative Charlie Stone was in attendance of the meeting and spoke to the Board giving a brief timeline of the House of Representatives Legislative Session stating the State’s budget had been adopted. Representative Stone stated the re-drawing of Congressional District lines will begin soon and in November the re-drawing of State Senate maps will begin.
Questions were asked by Renate Cannon and asked by Representative Stone.
The meeting recessed at 10:04 A.M.
The meeting reconvened at 10:35 A.M.
BUDGET WORKSHOP
Bronson Fire Department
Chief Russell stated the request for the Bronson Fire Department is:
$ 95,481 Contracted amount
$ 9,548 10% additional increase
$ 9,696 Brush Gear
$114,725 Total Request
Chief Russell stated they will be applying for grants to help fund the department.
Comm. Stevens made a motion to approve the contracted amount for the Bronson Fire Department of $95,481 plus $9,696 for brush gear for a total of $105,177. Second was made by Comm. Joyner and the MOTION CARRIES.
The additional amount of $9,696 will be by P.O.’s through the Finance Department.
Cedar Key Fire Department
Chief Robertson stated the request for the Cedar Key Fire Department is:
$ 66,219 Contracted amount
$ 5,000 Additional amount
$ 71,219 Total Request
Comm. Rooks made a motion to approve the contracted amount for the Cedar Key Fire Department of $66,219 plus the additional amount of $5,000 as requested for a total of $71,219. Second was made by Comm. Joyner and the MOTION CARRIES.
Chiefland Fire Department
Chief Harris stated the request for the Chiefland Fire Department is:
$204,754 Contracted amount
$ 24,060 Additional amount for purchase of new truck
$228,814 Total Request
Chief Harris stated eight (8) sets of bunker gear in the amount of $15,200 will need to be purchased this year.
Comm. Joyner made a motion to approve the contracted amount for the Chiefland Fire Department of $204,754 plus $15,200 for 8 sets of bunker gear for a total of $219,954. Second was made by Comm. Stevens and the MOTION CARRIES.
The additional amount of $15,200 will be by P.O.’s through the Finance Department.
Inglis Fire Department
Chief MacDonald stated the request for the Inglis Fire Department is:
$48,876 Contracted amount
$20,000 Request for covering South Levy
$68,876 Total Request
Comm. Joyner made a motion to approve the contracted amount for the Inglis Fire Department of $48,876 plus $20,000 for South Levy coverage for a total of $68,876. Second was made by Comm. Rock Meeks and the MOTION CARRIES.
The Commissioners agreed there would be no contribution to the Rainbow Lakes Estates Fire Department.
Williston Fire Department
Chief Stegall stated the request for the Williston Fire Department is:
$204,754 Contracted amount
$ 23,604 Additional increase
$228,358 Total Request
Comm. Joyner made a motion to approve the contracted amount for the Williston Fire Department of $204,754 plus an increase of $23,604 and expansion of the coverage area as requested. Second was made by Comm. Rooks and the MOTION CARRIES.
Comm. Stevens made a motion to hear a non-agenda item regarding the Fire Department District lines. Second was made by Comm. Joyner and the MOTION CARRIES.
After discussion, the Commissioners agreed by consensus to instruct Chief Knowles to explore options for Fire Department funding and taking a look at the district lines.
Terry Witt asked what the total amount of carry-forward money for the Fire Departments?
Sheila Rees answered the total carry-forward amount for the Fire Departments is $600,000.
Chief Russell questioned why the Board did not approve the additional 10% for the Bronson Fire Department.
The Commissioners explained $9,696 was approved for brush gear instead of the 10% total budget increase.
Millage Rate
Comm. Stevens made a motion to hear a non-agenda item concerning setting the millage rate. Second was made by Comm. Joyner and the MOTION CARRIES.
Mrs. Rees stated the millage rate needs to be set today. She stated the current millage rate which had been tentatively set and used to calculate the budget is 8.2741. The current rolled-back rate is 8.1662.
Comm. Stevens made a motion to hear a non-agenda item concerning setting the millage rate. Second was made by Comm. Joyner and the MOTION CARRIES.
Comm. John Meeks asked if anyone in the audience would like to speak concerning the millage rate.
Those in the audience who spoke were: Terry Witt and Dana Sheffield.
Comm. Joyner made a motion to set the millage rate at 8.2741 and the rolled-back rate at 8.1662. Second was made by Comm. Stevens and the MOTION CARRIES.
THERE BEING NO FURTHER BUSINESS TO COME BEFORE THE COMMISSION, THE MEETING ADJOURNED AT 11:56 A.M.
ATTEST: BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
LEVY COUNTY, FL
________________________________________ ________________________________________
Clerk of Court, Danny J. Shipp Chairman, John Meeks
[1] Comm. John Meeks, ex parte communication